A cyber attack is suspected as the cause of the issue that prevented cell phone and other wireless users from dialing 911 to reach Erie County dispatchers, county public safety officials told Erie News Now on Monday.

We're told it started with a non-initialized or deactivated phone number calling into 911 every seven seconds.

Only wireless 911 callers in Erie County were impacted, according to officials.

Erie County Public Safety, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and vendor Comtech are investigating the incident.

The issue was reported around 10 p.m. Sunday, and full 911 operations were restored about an hour later just before 11 p.m.

While the problem persisted, the county told wireless users to dial an alternate phone number, call 911 from a landline phone, text 911 or go to the nearest police or fire department to report an emergency.